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BEST AVAILABLE COPY 1'. H. NOLL ELECTRICAL STEAM GENERATION A rii 11. 1928,

Original Filed 11112.51. 1923 Reissued Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES EST AVAILABLE Copy PATENT OFFICE;

THEOBALD H, NOLL, F BRONX, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORTO ANDREW 3'. DISPE NZA.

ELEGTRIGAL STEAM GENERATION.

Original No. 1,538,692, dated May 26, 1925. Filed August 31, 1923, Serial No. 660,287. Application for reissue filed May 10, 1927.

My improvements relate to both method and apparatus employed in the generation of steam by means of an electrical current of any suitable character, and while the essening of buildings, apartments, andanalogouspurposes, as well as for domestic use, my invention consisting in the specific combination and arrangement of apparatus and HPPUP lcnunces described. and claimed, all as hereinafter fully set forth.

The accompanying drawing illustrates diagrammatically a practical embodiment of the essential features of my invention, al though I do not limit myself to the identical form, construction or arrangement of parts and apparatus shown by way of exemplifi cation thereof, since changes in minor details and mechanical expedient-s may be resorted to with like results and Without departing from the spirit and intent'of my invention in this respect.

With this understanding B, represents a boiler shell of any suitable shape, connected with a water supply tank T, by means of piping a, a, in which is interposed a control when. l, is an inlet pipe for the supply of impregnated Water to the tank T, and t,

' a shut otl" valve interposed in said inlet pipe z. is a pressure gauge communicating with the upper part of said supply tank '1, and P. an air pressure pump also communicating with the upper part of said tank through the medium of the pipe p, in which is interposed a valve 7) which may be of check or other type.

An auxiliary water supply pipe a provided with a valve a is connected with the pipe at, which affords communication be tween the tank 'l', and the boiler and adraw-oll or drain pipe a" provided with a valve (2., is also connected with the lower nu-n'iber of the piping o The upper portion of the boiler B, is provided with a steam outlet pipe having o. control valve 71, with iii-sat ety valve 31 and with a pressure gauge 5 C(mnected with the lower part mt the boiler ll, below the.

Serial No, 190,349.

n'iinimum water level therein, is. a pipe 5*, and valve 6 controlling communication with a hydroinetric device it, by means of which the specific gravity of the liquid in the boiler B, may be ascertained when desiralole.

E, E, represent spaced apart electrodes of any suitable character positioned 1n the of the boiler B, and provided with a piston s, and rod 3 the outer end of which latter is pivotally connected with a pivotally sup ported circuit closer a a spring a, which tends constantly to close the circuit, being interposed between said piston s, and the outer end of the cylinder 3.

The normal liquid level in the boiler B, is controlled by a float valve f, "which automatically regulates the admission of impregnated water from the supply pipe 0.

In practice the supply tank or reservoir T, is charged, through the inlet pipe t, and valve with a suitable quantity of water impregnated with a solvent adapted to increase its electric conductivity, sodium chloride being preferably used for the purpose, although I do not limit myself in this respect since other soluble substances may be substituted with substantially like results,- The amount of solvent used depends on the intensity ot' the electrical current to be used in the boiler For instance, I have found it expedient a current of ill) vol s is used, to impregnate water with approximately four teaspooniuls of the said salt to each gallon thereot.

After the introduction ot the impregnated water into ,tl *eservoir 'tanli T, the valve 6, is closed, a... the pressure in the tanlz increased by the injection of air above the liquid level through the pipe p, and valve p,

by means i the pump P, or equivalent air ffllfjlllfitlfi". The valves p, c of, and 5, being nor closed, the valve 0; is o d, ad-

i .r a l nuttin the imnrc nated cm the r: a b

JEST AVAILABLE COPt tank T, to the boiler B, the liquid level therein being controlled by the float valve f, on the end of the pipe a, within the boiler, and said level being maintained at a height sufiicient to efi'ect the immersion of the lower portions of the electrodes E, E.

The electric circuit 6, a, being now closed by means of the switch S, steam is generated in due course, and is drawn off through the service pipe (2, and valve 7), any considera ble excess of pressure within the boiler beyond a prescribed degree being automatically relieved through the medium of the saf ty valve 6". But provision is also made for automatically opening the electric cireuit if the internal pressure of the boiler exceeds a normal degree, as by means of the piston s, which controls the electric switch S. When the internal pressure relaxes, the spring 5, closesthe switch S. The tank T, is essential as a means of equalizing steam pressure generated in boiler B, the air pressure in said tank T, keeping the requisite level of water therein and maintaining normal conditions in the boiler B, through the medium of the float f. The valve a is closed when the valve a, is open and vice versa.

The generation of steam will, of course, gradually concentrate the solvent with which the water is impregnated, and the resultant degree of density or specific gravity of liquid may be ascertained when desired, by opening the valve 6 slightly, sullicient onl to admit a suitable quantity of the solutlon to the hydrometric device h. When the latter indicates the necessity therefor a sufficient quantity of fresh water may be admitted to the boiler B, to neutralize the excess of impregnation, by opening the valve a tem orarily. i

The s1mp1city of construction and arrangement of parts of my apparatus render it especially adaptable for installation for steam heating, etc., in buildings or apartments of moderate size; and its manipulation and operation does not require the employment of skilled labor for either purpose. The manner in which the float valve 7 functions, and the manner in which the tank T serves for equalizing steam and air pressure in boiler B and tank T, as above referred to may-be described as follows:

When the liquid is first admitted under pressure from tank T into the boiler B the valve f will be open. As the liquid rises within the boiler it will lift the float of said valve f and at a predetermined point the valve will shut-oil further admission of the liquid into the boiler. The level of the liquid at the time its inflow is shut-off is at the maximum height to which the liquid will ever attain, and the electrodes E are so disposed that they will at this time stand immersed vto a maximum extent within the mess liquid. The electrodes will thus at this time have their maximum liquid heating and steam generating power for any given quality of electric current supplied to them.

The valve will thus determine the pointof maximum steam generating capacity of the boiler under all normal conditions.

When current is supplied to the electrodes and the l quid is heated so that steam vapor rises therefrom sufficient to create a pressure within the boiler greater than the pressure within the tank T there will become present a tendency for the liquid within the boiler to move back again to the tank. .Although the valve f has until this time been held tightly sealed against movement of liquid into the boiler it is found in practice that, owing at least in part to the evaporation of the liquid in producing steam, said valve will nevertheless permit a return movement of the liquid to the tank T when ever the pressure withinthe boiler exceeds that of the tank, the return passage being at first very minute, but increasing in size as the level in the boiler falls and the float of the valve moves downwardlly.

The downward movement of the level within the boiler will continue, through the now open valve f until the pressure within tank T equals the pressure within the boiler. The electrodes E, being stationary, will have a less partof their length immersed and will have a less steam generating power than before. It the liquid within the boiler should move downwardly to or near the bottom ends of the electrodes the steam generating power of the electrodes would'be diminished to near zero and the steam pressure within the boiler would consequently fall and allow liquid to move back again from the tank to raise the level within the boiler. The level within the boiler will thus be automatically established at a point where the steam generating power of the electrodes will be just sullieient to nnaintain a steam pressure within the boiler equal to the pressure within the tank, it be ng here noted that the difference in altitude of the boiler and tank as illustrated is not under consideration, as the pressure within the tank may be manually altered at will by means of the air pump P.

An increase of pressure present as a cushion above the liquid in tank T will result in placing the level of liquid within the boiler at a higher plane at the time of balance between pressures in the boiler and tank than when the pressure in the tank is normally lower. This will increase. the heat generating power of the electrodes to maintain the increased steam pressure. and hence it will be seen that operation of the pump p to increase or diminish the pressure within the tank T may be relied upon as means to raise the pressure, and hence the heating lllt) SEST AVAILABLE COP ability, of the steam transmitted through the service connection 5 at any time.

The valve 7 is thus seen to serve as a safety control to prevent excessive rise of the liquid within the boiler at all times. It'

prevents an undesired amount of submersion of the electrodes and therefore prevents overloading or excessive current passage through the electrical apparatus connected with said electrodesgand yet permitsthe liquid to automatically find a level balanced between the pressures of the boiler and tank at all times during the normal operation of the mechanism.

\Vhile the switch 8 and its pressure control mechanism may be set to break the circuit to the electrodes at any desired pressure it is usually intended that. this valve shall operate. as an emergency safety mechanism to prevent generation of excessive pressure within the boiler in the event that for any reason the steam generating power of the electrodes should become greater than a set maximum, as for instance if the quality of current fed to the electrodes is increased or if the valve f should for any reason fail to hold the level of the liquid against rising around the electrodes above a fixed maximum.

As hereinabove set forth it is a part of this invention to positively add to the whole body of liquid concerned, both in the supply tank and in the/boiler, a quantity of salt. Irrespective of the movement of the liquid to and from the boiler and tank it is at all times, and in all parts, of a predetermined salt content. The salt has been added in definite quantity to the whole body of liquid and its presence is of material importance in that it enables thcuse of small electrodes, and the employment of only a small amount of liquid at any one time within the boiler. This positive addition of salt in known and appreciable quantity makes possible the generation of ample quantities of steam within an extremely small boiler and at great economy in the consumption of electric current.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description orshown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting; sense.

\Vhat I claim as my invention and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a liquid reservoir tank. means for injectin; air under pressurethereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank by means which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to said boiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with an electric circuit, and an exit service steam conduit connected'with said boiler, substantially in the nianne and for the purpose set forth.

2. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a liquid reservoir tank. means for injecting air under pressure thcreinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank by means which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to said boiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with an electric circuit, and an exit service steam conduit onuectcd with said boiler, together witha switch interposed in said electric circuit and controlled by means actuated by the steam pressure in said boiler, substantially in the manner and for the purpose designated.

3. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting air under pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoirtank by means which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to said boiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with an electric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with said boiler, together with a float valve in said boiler arranged to control the admission of liquid thereinto, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

4. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting air under pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank by means which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to said boiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with an electric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with said boiler, together with an hydrostatic test device connected with said boiler, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, ing air under pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank by means which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to said boiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with an electric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with said boiler, together with means independent of the reservoir tank for admitting water to said boiler, substantially in the manner and for the purpose designated.

6. An electrically operated steam generator comprising a boiler adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, an inlet opening through which l quid may move into and raise a level within the boiler. said boiler having a steam outlet opening therefrom, a float valve asmeans for inj ectlit) sociatecl with serial, inlet opening arranged to be controlled by the liquid le-rel for closing the opening when the level has attained at given height, electrodes arranged to be portly submerged by Stlltl liquid beneath Sttltl level, and means to supply electric current to said electrodes.

7. An electrically opereteil steam generv tor comprising a,- boiler adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, an inlet opening through which liquid nut more into and raise a, level within the boiler. said boiler having. :1 steam outlet opening therefrom, electrically operable steam generating nieuns arranged to be controlled by the level of said liquid, and e valve for Silitl inlet opening arranged also to be controlled by the level of said liquid.

8: An electrically operated steam generator comprising a boiler utlupteil to contain a quantity of liquid, an inlet. opening through which liquid may move into one ruise a level within the boiler, said boiler having at steam outletopeningtherefrom, electrically operable steam generating means urrunuetl to be controlled by the level of seitl liquid, anrl a valve for said inlet opening iii-ranged also to be controlled by the level of soul liquid, together with a, safety device urrengetl to render the electrical opereble stezrn genen sting" in ens inoperative in the event of feilore of seirl valve.

9. An electrically operates steam generator comprising means providing an air pressure compartment and a steam pressure conr pertinent, each. of seicl compartments being; adapted to contain at quantity of liquid, means provicling a passageway through which liquid may movebetween Silitl C0111 partments, electrodes errangeei in the steam compartment adapted to be at least in part submerged beneath the level off seiil liquid, means by which to supply electric energy to said electrodes for thereby frenereting steam pressure in said steam compartment effective to force clown the liqu d level about said electrodes and thereb e the liquitl level against the air pressni compartment, the liqui level in th steam c mpurtment being thus hehl er-re Cl cnvnn'arcl movement '12 the presence iv pressure so th re e size steum comps An elect; "*unrisin n 1"? upertme pa. t, each. u

BEST AVAILABLE GOP said electroes for thereby genera-ting steam pressure in said steam compartment etlective to force clown the liquid lev l about said electrodes and thereby raise the liquiol level against the air pressui in the air compartment, the liquid level in the steam compartment being thus held against excessive downward movement in the presence of a given pressure in said compertxnent, there being a steam delivery opening; trom ssnl steznn compartment, and means by which to manually alter at will the pr ssure in one of saitl compertinents.

11. An electrically operated steam generator comprising means providing an air pressure compartment and a. steam pressure compartment, each of said compartments hein adapted to contain a quantity of liqui: means provirliw a passage-way through which liquid may move between said con:- purtinents, electrodes arranged in the steam compartment ecleptecl to be at least in part submerged. beneath the level of seitl liquicl, means by which to supply electric energy to said GlQCiZIO'LlQS for thereby generating steam pressure in said steam. coinpert 'ient effective to force clown the liquid level about serirl electrodes by driving a portion of said liquid through said passage-way to the air compartment whereby to automatically adjust the steam generating power of the electrodes, and ii valve for seicl pesszwe-way automaticully operable to limit the nmrimunrrise of liquid within the steam compartment, there being a steam (l'elivery opening from suirl steam compartment.

12, An electrically operated steam genersitor comprising means proviiiing a steam compartment unrl a liquid supply comperb Inent, connections between the steam C0111" part-merit and the supply compartment by means of which liquid may move to soul from the steam compartment, 2., valve errengecl in said connections uutoineticelly operable to determine the maximum amount of liquid within the steam compartment, eleetroties spaced apart Within the steam. compartment arranged to extenzl clorvnwureh ly so :is to be partly submerged beneath the level or the liquicl in the steam compartment,

" l connect e connects '1 MW. v s T wnich messure ins 1 4.1 t in we supply H) pur-- wil ti, xiv-maven 1M. 14c triennial inum allowed by sai BEST AVAILABLE in the steam compartment and thereby hold the level of the liquid in the steam compartment balanced at a valve, there being a steam delivery opening fromv said steam compartment.

13. An electrically operated steam generator comprising means providing a steam compartment an a liqui supply compartment, connections between the steam compartment and the supply compartment by means of which liquid may move to and from the steam compartment, 9. pair of electrodes spaced apart within the steam compartment intended to be partly submerged by liquid in said compartment, electrical connections by which to energize said electrodes, the steam compartment having a steam discharge opening therefrom,-and the liquid having a fixed amount of sodium chlori e contained in solution therein for the I purpose set forth.

14. An electrically operated steam genera boiler arranged to contain a quantity of liquid, a pair of electrodes spaced apart therein intended to be partly submerged by the liquid, electrical connections by which to energize said electrodes whereby to generate steam from said liquid, the boiler having a steam dischargeopening ator comprising therefrom, and the liquid having sodium chloride in solution therein in the proportiongoint below the maxi approximately'of four teaspoonfuls to each gallon of liquid, for the purpose set forth.

15. An electrically operated steam generator'comprisin a boiler arranged to contain a quantity 0 liquid, a pair of electrodes spaced apart therein intended to be partly submerged by the liquid, electrical connections by which to energize said electrodes whereby to generate steam from said liquid, the boiler having a steam discharge opening therefrom, and the liquid having sodium chloride-in solution therein in the roportion of upwardly of thI'BGUtGBSPOODffl to each gallon'of liquid, for the purpose set forth.

16. An electrically operated steam generator comprising means providing a steam compartment, a tank adapted to contain a supply of liquid of relatively high conductivity, means providing a separate supply of liquid of a relatively lower conductivity, selectively operable means whereby liquids from these two supplies may be fed into the steam compartment in selected quantities respectively at will for thereby altering the conductivity the steam compartment, and electrically operable means within the steam compartment adapted to utilize the conductivity oi the li uid -mixture there for generating steam rom said liquid;

In testimony whereof I afiix n11? si nature. THEOBALD OLL.

of the liquid mixture within v 

